Best MTB circa £250-300?

[NorthernSky]

Afternoon everybody,

I'm a bit of a cycling noob, it has been some years since I was bombing around university campus on a cheap apollo hybrid bike until it got nicked - so unlike cars and motorbikes I am totally clueless about what represents a bargain in the 250-300 price bracket.

I'm 6'1 and powerfully built. (i.e. Around 14 stone and NOT that fit...)

.

I am trying to understand what is worth spending over 200 for. Otherwise, for the kind of occasional use I'd be doing (NOT commuting) - perhaps I am better off with a crappy, theft-invisible £100-150 model.

Can any cycle gurus please advise me what is worth spending this kind of money on, if you can reinforce advice with any links to examples so I can get a sense of what makes or builds represent good value, that would be really handy!

I'm moving to a city so the intention is to use a mountain bike to get between my house and lots of local breweries, maybe some day trips down the K&A canal (moving to Bristol.) I don't want a hybrid or a road bike, I would rather just cycle harder and get fitter, and enjoy some nice suspension that the MTB should have.

...Ideally i'd like to buy a second hand bike/serviced by a store to avoid depreciation from a brand new cycle...

Any pointers and links MOST appreciated! Thanks folks!

[The3rdDukeofB]

Suspension Hybrid ?

Just bought a B'Twin 920 and shaved off 10% time round my 10mile rural route.

[Usget]

For that money secondhand I'd be looking at a lightly used Boardman MTB Team or Calibre Two Cubed.

[dcb]

NorthernSky said:

Any pointers and links MOST appreciated! Thanks folks!

I am getting excellent results from my Decathlon Rock Rider 520.
About £250 I think.

It is proving to be not only a much better bike than it's predecessor Halfords Apollo,
but much cheaper too.

2,300 miles in a year, 9 punctures, zero mechanical failures.

I am so impressed, I will probably get my first serious road bike
from Decathlon soon.

[John is200sport]

1. Buy used.
2. Use the money saved to take it for a service.
3. I'd not buy with suspension, I bought a 29er pinnacle ramin 1 used with a fixed fork for example.
4. Save £50 for a saddle of your choice and £20 for handle bar grips.

[Zigster]

Buy new!

Seriously, as a noob you don't want to be spending a fortune getting a bike shop to sort out all the little maintenance stuff the last owner didn't do. Or run the risk of getting a complete lemon. Or simply overpaying for something.

There are sometimes secondhand bargains but there is a lot of overpriced tat out there.

Decathlon is a good shout at that sort of price. Avoid any sort of suspension as it will be heavy and pointless. A fatter pair of tyres is all you need.

[NorthernSky]

Thanks for the comments, everyone. Now back to gumtree etc. to find a good example! Now reconsidering if I really need suspension forks up front, or if a hybrid could do the job for what I'm likely to use it for.

[lufbramatt]

I run my winter mountain bike with a rigid fork. Tyres, arms and legs make pretty good suspension. Bike is lighter, steers and brakes better. So your answer is probably no you don't need it